PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:           

	BOARD DATE:                 6 January 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999029011

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.  

	Ms. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Edward Williamson			
	Mr. Stanley Kelley			
	Mr. Allen L. Raub			

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show in item
11d (Effective date) the entry “15 Aug 70” instead of the entry “15 Aug 50”, item 23a (Specialty Number & Title) the entry “11B10 lt wpns (light weapons) infantryman” instead of the entry “71B20 Clerk-Typist’ and to show that he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that item 11d (Effective Date) and item 
23a (Specialty Number & Title) are incorrect.  He also states that his DD Form 214 does not show the Purple Heart or the Combat Infantryman Badge.  In support of his application he submits a copy of his DD Form 214, a copy of DA Form 8-275-3 (Clinical Record Cover Sheet) and an award certificate for the Purple Heart.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he was inducted on 21 November 1967 as a light weapons infantryman (11B).  He served in Vietnam from 10 May 1968 to 23 August 1968 and was honorably discharged on 15 August 1970.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the applicant was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge (Rifle).  His discharge document does not show the Purple Heart or the Combat Infantryman Badge as authorized awards.

6.  The applicant’s personnel records show that he completed advanced individual training (AIT) in military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B/light
weapons infantryman and was reassigned to Vietnam.  The applicant was also awarded the primary military occupational specialty (PMOS) of 11B/light weapons infantryman on 12 April 1968.

7.  Headquarters, US Army Armor Center Special Orders Number 158, dated 5 August 1970, shows that the applicant’s effective date of release from active duty (REFRAD) was 15 Aug 70. 

8.  The applicant was awarded the Purple Heart by Headquarters, 71st Evacuation Hospital (SMBL) General Orders Number 190, dated 2 June 1968, for wounds received in action on 31 May 1968 while serving in Vietnam.

9.  There are no orders in the applicant’s personnel records, which show that he 
was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.  Records show he served as light weapons infantryman (11B) in an infantry company during his service in Vietnam.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded to infantry officers and to enlisted and warrant officer persons who have an infantry MOS.  They must have served in active ground combat while assigned or attached to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size.  The Awards Branch of the Total Army Personnel Command has advised, in similar cases, that during the Vietnam era the Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11F, 11G, or 11H.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant’s effective date of release from active duty was 15 Aug 70.  Therefore, item 11d (Effective Date) should be corrected to show the entry “15 Aug 70” instead of the entry “15 Aug 50”.

2.  Evidence of record shows that he completed AIT in MOS 11B/light weapons infantry and was awarded the PMOS of 11B/light weapons infantry.  Therefore, item 23a (Specialty Number & Title) of his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show the entry “11B10 lt wpns infantryman” instead of the entry “71B20 Clerk Typist”.

3.  Evidence of record shows that he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 31 May 1968 while serving in Vietnam; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show the Purple Heart.

4.  Evidence of record shows the applicant served as a light weapons infantryman (11B) in an infantry company in combat while serving in Vietnam.  Therefore, he is entitled to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and correction of his records to show the Combat Infantryman Badge.

5.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing in item in item 11d (Effective Date) the entry “15 Aug 70”, item 23a
(Specialty Number & Title) the entry “11B10 lt wpns infantryman” and in item
24 (Decorations and Awards) of his DD Form 214 that he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

BOARD VOTE:  

EW______  SK_____  ALR____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Edward Williamson_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999029011	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000106	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19700815	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1. 61		
2.  157		
3. 1021		
4.		
5.		
6.